February 27: The big show, part 1

Nothing says big time auto show like a newly introduced pick-up truck sitting on a few really huge pistons. This is the first thing that came to my mind, when I thought how are they going to display the new for 2019 RAM. No point in showing a construction site, since that ain't where the bulk of these trucks will end up. This was the first display as we entered (myself, my bro, my nephew) the Canadian International Auto Show (aka the Toronto show) last Friday. As worldwide shows go, this  is one of the biggest and most varied in its content. Local writers, who've been to other shows around the world, say it ranks up there with the best, only lacking in new car introductions. In North America it ranks behind Detroit, LA, Chicago and New York in importance, but for interesting and varied exhibits, it's right up there. So let's take a blog or three to look at some of my highlights.

Retro design from Subaru?

No, but this is how the brand was intro'd to North America in 1968 by none other than that infamous sports car builder, Malcolm Bricklin. It sold like stale bread, with some cars sitting on dealers' lots for two or three years. Terrible start to what has become a great brand with a hugely loyal fan base.

Moving right along.........

Another old timer, this time from Mazda. Now this was a model to be proud of and one of the first rotary motored cars. Rare. I believe Jay Leno has one in his collection, which gives it some kind of street cred. Might Mazda want to remind us of its past, as they contemplate another crack at a new rotary motored model?

Back to the future with this concept from Nissan.......

 

Sure, the interior and the side doors are all auto show frivolities, but the general shape shows the future design language from this brand, when the currently over stylized theme runs its course. As an aside, I really like the current Nissans, since they stand out and apart, from many of the current used bar of soap designs.

Nothing special here, just some sort of tiny Chevy, but oh, that colour. Flashback to the '50's in an even more vibrant coral than back in the day...........

 Wondering if this is the start of a new colour trend? Surely you jest. Trends start at the top and work their way down to the masses, not the other way around. And you can take that to the bank, friend.

Who makes more cars than any other manufacturer? Dumb question actually, but the answer is Hot Wheels and this being their 50th anniversary, they had a huge hidden display of the old miniatures and three cars that actually became some of those little toys. This one is the Darth Vader car.......

Hidden display? I looked all around, even got directions and couldn't see anything other than a kids playroom and these three full sizers. Up until about three years ago, I had a small collection of these little gems, so I was a bit disappointed. Oh well, I'm sure they'll do something similar for their 100th.

Those hot provincial police Hemi Chargers not fast enough?

Then how about a Tesla Model X all suited up to chase down those bad guys? The trick is to keep the coppers behind you until the battery runs out. But this is Canada, not LA, where they actually have a Tesla S or two in their fleet. Fast? Absolutely. Expensive? Without a doubt. Pure display? Right on. This was done up as a publicity deal and after the show, the markings peel off and this car goes back to being chased, instead of being the chaser. Neat anyway.

Is any coverage of a car show complete without some sex? The car companies seem to have done away with those hot models talking to the milling crowds, about the wonderous new features of whatever car, while their audience entertains other fantasies. Who needs sexy models, when none could compete for sheer sex appeal with the new Ford GT. Two years out of the box and it still makes hearts beat faster.......

And finally, where but at a major auto show, would you find a full size Lego race car driver? Not sure why, but there he/she was in all their glory. Mom and Dad check out the new sport utes, while Junior tries to dismantle Lego man.

"Everything's happening at the auto show." (with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel).

Until next time.......

February 23: Time for a new car?

Time for a new car and you just can't decide? The thought of "go big or go home" has crossed your mind, but you are left wondering is that the best way to spend your millions? Let's stop right here.......if you are not of the ultra rich persuasion and aren't thinking of spending about half a mil Canadian on your new ride, then please move along, as there is nothing in today's blog for you. Now we've got that clear, those remaining can move in a little closer.

Recognize this iconic symbol and that famous hood ornament? Yes sir, that is the famous flying lady, the Spirit of Ecstasy, that adorns the leading edge of each and every Rolls Royce. No mistaking it. A symbol, so valued that Rolls has devised an ingenious system that at the touch of a button (one doesn't push a button on a Rolls), it drops out of sight, when you are away from your pride and joy. No souvenir hunting scoundrel is going to make off with your lady.

For 2018 Rolls Royce has taken the rare step of designing a completely new Phantom, their top of the line "if you got it flaunt" ride. For their more than merely wealthy clientele this is a BIG event. For the rest of us, it is simply an event. You see the Phantom has a very specific roll to play, so a new and improved version must know its place without obsoleting its predecessor. Let's take a look at the new standard bearer.......

......and let's take a look at the one it replaced.......

Subtle baby, oh so subtle, but if you are a cheque writer for this car, you'll definitely see those differences. While checking out the new one, please keep in mind that this is all new. Got that?

Ah, the Phantom. Long looked up to as the penultimate Roller, but even a Phantom can be upgraded to differentiate it from the one down the street and if you live in that kind of neighbourhood, there will be one down the street. Maybe an interior custom done to your high style standards........

......or some exterior modes to make entry a tad easier.......

Keep in mind, that Rolls Royce will do anything for you, since almost every Phantom is made exclusively for the client. None of that calling up a salesperson and asking what they have on the lot in the way of a nicely equipped Phantom? And in what colour? Even that famous lady on the hood (bonnet?) can be made specifically for you. Lalique crystal? Glad you asked........

Over the years, the rich and famous have used a Phantom to tell the world and themselves, that they have arrived and in grand style.......

From that late opinionated Beatle, to The Donald (of course) and to the royal family (another, of course). All have shown their power and prestige with a Phantom, although with any nouveau riche, not always tastefully.

So, the advent of a new Rolls Royce Phantom is discussed among the rich and famous in hushed and respectful tones. For over one hundred years, the brand has made that model the epitome of class in the car world. From the very distinctive radiator and hood ornament, this automobile signifies your arrival in more ways than one. This Rolls lead the way back at its beginning........

......and still leads the way today.........

Lottery winners need not apply, since there are all sorts of Mercedes to fulfill your needs. But the rest of you who have stayed around thru this blog, those of you with enviably fat wallets and taste, know that now is the time to ease on down to your Rolls dealer and check out the new 2018 Phantom. Subtle changes, but someone like you will know the difference. If you don't Mercedes is right next door.

Until next time........

February 20: A Model Life, part 1085

 Hard at it again for the umpteenth time, is the darling little Car Modeling Cat, aka, the CMC. Using those paws in the best way she knows how, to help me craft a memory from my not so misspent youth. When girls were something that the other guys were involved in, I had my plastic model kits to provide the erotic excitement, I otherwise so lacked from the opposite sex. But hey, this isn't a pity party, since as the saying goes, "Car modeling has been very good to me.", and of course, an understanding wife. And a CMC.

Which after those thoughts, brings me to our latest build, one of my favorite cars of all time, the 1960 Ford. A car, which my misguided, style-wise, friend GN dislikes (hates?) with a passion. Not to worry, as this is our show, not his. After the very square '59, Ford dropped the '60 model on a very surprised and disappointed public. Swoopy in a way, a Ford hadn't been to that point in time. A purrfect (my apologies) model for the CMC and me to fuss over to get it absolutely right.

Typical sixties colour, that for some reason these days, would not look good on a Mercedes. But, hey, times change and the CMC and I have replicated a favorite car down to the very last chrome laden detail......

Don't remember this old Ford? Need a real life comparison?

Pretty close, minus of course, that jet pilot, which tells us, who Ford thought drove this swoopier Starliner. Question........the convertible was called the Sunliner, which made sense, so why was the hardtop called the Starliner? Please don't lose any sleep over this.

As usual our model is as accurate as we can make it, right down to the gold Starliner script on the front fenders and trunk lid.........

A slight variation in our model from one side to the other (I'll let you figure it out, if you really care). This was an expensive build, since when we had almost finished our masterpiece, I (don't blame the CMC) broke off one of those tiny fender ornaments, so I had to buy a second kit for this part. Oh, well, if this is all we have to worry about......

So back to the company's misjudgement of the Ford buying public. As they ran from the showrooms in droves, the redesign for 1961 went back to the traditional upright models, that Ford seemed to be known for in the recent past. The CMC and I have also built this one..........

.......so you can see the change in direction back to the way they came or the way the public expected them to come.

A model life once again brings to you a great model and a bit of automotive history. And after all this work, even the intrepid little CMC needed a break, which in cat lingo, means a nap.........

Until next time.......

February 16: Happy Birthday UAZ 452!

Here's one vehicle that the Chinese won't copy........

These are pics of an old Russian van that came out in 1958. Special? Depends on how you look at it. It was a true 4x4, but that's not its claim to fame. Actually it's not bad looking for a van way back sixty years ago. Just your standard van design that looks like a loaf of bread. So much so, that the slang name for it in Russian is bukhanka, the "loaf".

Interesting in that this van is still made in Russia. Want to see the new one?

Surprise, surprise. Basically the same as the one from '58 and therein lies its claim to fame. The good old "loaf" is now sixty years old with the same design and underpinnings for all those many years. With all the positive changes in Russian vehicles since the early '90's, the old UAZ 452 is still trucking (vanning?) right along with its tough as nails, go anywhere reputation.

A few GAZ 452's in working guise........

The military and the local police services love these tough little vehicles. When I was in Russia in 2015, old Communist era cars were scarce, but of course, the place was crawling with loaves. And not just as vans, as these trucks are made in a variety of configurations......

Why opt for a modern family van when you can indulge in pre-glasnost nostalgia with a family oriented loaf at your disposal........

Ah, this is the life, away from the prying eyes of Putin's thugs in your go anywhere UAZ 452. And with this being a true 4x4, I do mean go anywhere, but there are always exceptions. Such as when Dmitri fails to comprehend the word "limitations", but maybe that open bottle of Russia's finest explains it.......

So let's celebrate the 60th birthday of the intrepid little UAZ 452. Maybe take that exciting cross country trip you've been planning and share this little suv's longevity with the world...........

"We don't need no stinkin' highways, comrade!"

Until next time.......

February 13: What's in a number? The Eagle EG633OK.

We've been here before, haven't we? You know, when we look at a new Chinese vehicle design and have a sense of deja vu. My theory is that somebody is pulled in off the street and told to design a new vehicle before lunch and then they are fired. What other reason would there be to explain why vehicles like the Land Wind are 100% knock offs of something else, in this case the Land Rover Evoque?

Recently this happened and the new temporary hire must have found an old car magazine lying around. A really old car magazine and before they were given the boot, they presented their design for a new car, the Eagle EG633OK.........

Yes, I know you are wondering about that catchy name. Who wouldn't envy people, who can come up with those great names, that folks will remember for minutes to come. But back to that design. Got a few years under your hat or belt or whatever and think that this design kinda rings a bell? Would it be too much of a stretch to think it looks vaguely like something from the past? Take a better look........

Now let's change the colour and add whitewalls and look at the original version.......

Look similar? Well, it should and you can see its an almost perfect knock off of that old BMW from the 1950's, the Isetta. The strange little car that helped BMW get back on its feet in the aftermath of WW II. How strange? Glad you asked......

 Nowadays we have gullwng and scissor doors, but no one for some reason has tried to duplicate the front door system of the old Isetta, which had the steering wheel attached. Maybe it has something to do with good sense? Even this new Chinese knock off went the conventional route for some unknown reason.

Oh, did I mention that this new Eagle EG633OK (there's that catchy name again) is cutting edge, since it's all electric? Well, it is. A few stats........range in perfect conditions is about 140k, but will last all day, since the top speed is only about 60 kms/hour. But who needs to speed when you have a ride like this? 

But what about that design? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but really, coping an old microcar? I've seen some of the new Chinese designs and they are beautiful, so what's up here and when are they going to stop copying?

Maybe they are starting a new trend and if that's the case, better not let them see this picture..........

Until next time.......